The Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the timetable and schedule of activities for the Osun State governorship election scheduled for July 14, 2018.

According to the schedule, signed by Mrs. Augusta C. Ogakwu, INEC Secretary, and obtained by SaharaReporters, the earliest date on which the election could hold is May 30, 2018, while the latest date is October 27, 2018.

This is dictated by the provisions of sections 178 (1) and (2) of the constitution and sections 25 (7) and (8) of the Electoral Act. The tenure of the incumbent governor, Rauf Aregbesola, will terminate on 26 November 2018. The rules require that the election should hold not earlier than 150 days and not later than 30 days to the expiration of the incumbent’s tenure.

According to the timetable, campaigning by political parties will kick off on June 24, 2018.

Obtaining of forms for election from INEC for political parties to issue to their candidates is slated for June 25. Conduct of party primaries and resolution of disputes arising from such are expected to take place between June 24-25, 2018.

The schedule also states that submission of Forms CF001 at the INEC Headqurters should be made on July 24, 2018, as the Electoral Act 2010 provides for not later than 60 days to the election, SaharaReporters reported.

Publication of personal particulars of candidates (CF001) and list of candidates are slated for 18 May 2018, while the last day for the withdrawal by candidates and replacements of withdrawn ones by parties is given as 30 May. Publication of official register of voters for the election is lined up publication of the final list of nominated candidates are lined up for 14 June 2018.

The schedule also states that publication of notice for the election and submission of names of party agents to the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) are both scheduled for June 30. Campaigns are slated to end on July 12, 2018. The election will be conducted on July 14, while a run-off, if required, will hold within seven days of the announcement of the results.